The pilot
testing of the common core assessments did not attempt to answer the major
question of whether the tests are valid: do the tests (and standards)
contribute to higher school achievement? Previous studies confirm that more
testing does not lead to more achievement.

Administrators
pointed out that the current infrastructure is inadequate and that upgrades,
new devices and replacements will be necessary:

"'Obviously, there is concern
that if computers are three years old, they won't be able to do certain things.
So we are examining what we have in place and determining what we need to have
in place to do what we need to do with online testing.'

The district plans to upgrade its
Wi-Fi system and bandwidth this summer, he says. It is also considering buying
more devices so that students can take the online assessments in their
classrooms and in the library, rather than having them all in computer labs."

And
that this will cost quite a bit:

"Rose-Ann McKernan, the
executive director of instructional accountability for the Albuquerque schools,
says the technology director for the district is worried about server and
network capacity at the schools. Making all the necessary upgrades could cost
millions of dollars, she says.

The district could use money from
the state allocated to schools for technology to buy new computers and to make
other technology improvements, McKernan says. The district may also appeal to
the state legislature for more funds for technology improvements."

We
can expect upgrading and replacement to continue indefinitely. A boondoggle that
will last forever.

1. How much did they pay the children for their
services?

2. "You want a kid
to take a test that relates to what is going on in the classroom,"
Cummings says. "The only way to make the Smarter Balanced assessments
meaningful is if common core is effectively integrated into the
coursework." In other words, teaching to the test. More of the same.

Chuck Jordan
: Now we know why Bill Gates etc. have
"donated" so much money to "education."